World Meteorological Organization is looking for a Director, CREWS Secretariat

Post: Director, CREWS Secretariat
Grade: D1
Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland
Commencement of Duty: To be determined
Nature of Appointment: Fixed-term - 2 years
Organizational Unit: Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems (CREWS) Secretariat

WMO is committed to achieving diversity and a balanced workforce. Applications are welcome from qualified women and men, including those with disabilities. The statutory retirement age after 1 January 2014 is 65. Pursuant to WMO Standing Instructions, the minimum age to be eligible for consideration for vacant positions is 18, and the maximum age must enable the candidate to serve for at least the term of the contract before reaching mandatory age of separation.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Assistant-Secretary-General (ASG), and as the Director of the CREWS Secretariat, the incumbent will serve the Chair and Members of the CREWS Steering Committee, and work in collaboration with the CREWS Implementing Partners, to perform the following duties:

• Serve as the Secretary to the CREWS Steering Committee, in particular:

  • Advise on and set the strategic framework for directing, coordinating, and overseeing the reception and consolidation of project proposals and funding requests from all implementing entities for submission, decision and review by the Steering Committee, ensuring alignment and quality input;
  • Anticipate, advise on and deliver strategic policy and delivery advice to the Steering Committee, ensuring consistent high-quality evidence, contextually specific advice and options are delivered in a timely manner to the Steering Committee that aligns with advances the objectives of CREWS;
  • Develop and deliver the CREWS risk management framework and advice, covering policy and programme financing for Steering Committee consideration and decision making;
  • Shape, coordinate and oversee in close coordination with the Chair, the meetings of the Steering Committee ensuring delivery and alignment to SC vision and CREWS objectives including directing and delivering the drafting and circulating minutes of Steering Committee discussions;
  • Work with the Trustee to advance and implement at quality and to time funding requests approved by the Steering Committee;
  • Lead, direct and develop communications and campaigns for the delivery and advancement of CREWS objectives, as agreed by the Steering Committee.

• Lead, manage and develop successfully the objectives, activities and staff of the CREWS Secretariat; manage and monitor the budget to quality and time standards; ensure activities are carried out in a timely fashion, with good internal coordination; manage, guide, and train staff under his/her supervision; foster teamwork and communication within the CREWS Secretariat, with Executive Management within WMO and the CREWS Implementing Partners and across organizational boundaries;

• Support and provide guidance to the CREWS implementing entities on the processes and requirements as laid out by the Steering Committee;

• Report regularly to the Steering Committee and Donors with periodic financial reports submitted by the implementing entities;

• Receive and consolidate annual reports on implementation results for submission and approval by the Steering Committee;

• Work closely with the Trustee to ensure that the Trustee has all the information necessary to carry out its responsibilities;

• Coordinate and manage fund raising efforts of CREWS as directed by the Steering Committee, and manage relationship with contributors, including answering queries from donors and facilitating the relationship between donors and the Trustee on financial issues;

• Develop and negotiate strategic partnerships with relevant institutions and organizations including the private sector, the United Nations system, bilateral and multilateral funding agencies and organizations, in order to deliver CREWS strategic objectives;

• Direct and convene the CREWS community (i.e., implementing entities, Steering Committee members) and represent the CREWS Secretariat at meetings, seminars, etc., and related partnership initiatives; participate in international, regional and national meetings and lead and hold discussions with representatives of other institutions regarding the CREWS Initiative;

• Align CREWS programmes with international frameworks and partnerships on early warning, such as the Climate Change agreements under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Sendai Framework and the 2030 Sustainable Development agenda and relevant regional and thematic fora;

• Carry out other relevant duties as required.

Qualifications

Education

Master's degree or equivalent in environmental management, meteorology, hydrology, climatology, disaster risk management, geography, international development or a closely related field.

Experience

• A minimum of fifteen (15) years of combined national and international progressive level experience in resources mobilization, partnership development, and project management preferably related to socially and environmentally sustainable development in Least Developed and Emerging economies.
• Ten (10) years of relevant experience in a responsible position in an international organization in developing, or facilitating the development of programmes and projects and team management, including in LDCs and Small Island Developing States settings.
• At least seven (7) years of experience in developing and/or assessing and analyzing corporate and national development strategies, plans and programmes.
• Ability to identify innovative approaches and opportunities to funding in a challenging ODA setting.
• Experience in designing and managing financing mechanisms, partnership strategies and building partnerships with a diversity of development actors.
• Demonstrated experience with project/programme design, negotiation, marketing and partnership building.
• Proven experience in resource mobilization and knowledge of funding mechanisms of various funding agencies as well as complex project management leadership and execution.
• Proven ability to draft clearly and succinctly reports and documents.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills.

Other requirements

• Excellent supervisory, managerial, networking, financial management, strategic and operational planning and international dialogue and relations.
• Sense of responsibility, maturity of judgement and initiative.
• Sound knowledge of climate change policies, of the international cooperation needs of LDCs and SIDS, and of the evolving broader multilateral context.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to foster diversity and team spirit.

Competencies

• Communication & Influence
• Collaboration & Team Dynamics
• Inclusive Mindset & Cultural Awareness
• Decision Making & Problem Solving
• Integrity & Accountability
• Innovation & Digital Agility
• Stakeholder Understanding & Engagement

Languages

Excellent knowledge of English (both oral and written). Knowledge of other official languages of the Organization would be an advantage.
(Note: The official languages of the Organization are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.)

The position is funded from extra-budgetary resources.
New appointments on fixed-term contract of one year or more shall be subject to an initial one-year probation period.

Salary and Allowances

• Annual net base salary on initial appointment is: US$ 116,095
• Annual post adjustment on initial salary is: US$ 102,976 (in addition to the net base salary)

Additional Information

• Applications should be made online through the WMO e-recruitment system at https://erecruit.wmo.int/public.
• Do not send your application via multiple routes. Only applicants in whom WMO has a further interest will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit a written test and/or an interview.

Date of issue of vacancy notice: 31 October 2025

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